Mountain View News Satur 88 THE GOOD LIFETHE GOOD LIFE Mountain View News Satur 88 THE GOOD LIFETHE GOOD LIFE 
HYDRATION: A 
SIMPLE STEP TOWARD 
BETTER HEALTH FOR 
SENIORS 

Staying properly hydrated is important 
at every age, but it becomes especiallyimportant as we get older. Seniors 
may experience a reduced sense of 
thirst, meaning they may not realize 
they are becoming dehydrated until 
symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness,
headache, dry mouth or confusion 
appear. 
During the warmer summer months, the risk of dehydration increases even more.
So, how much fluid does a senior need? A general guideline is about 6 to 8 cups of fluids per day, 
or roughly 48 to 64 ounces. However, individual needs vary depending on health conditions, 
medications, activity level and the weather. Seniors with certain heart, kidney or other medical 
conditions may have fluid restrictions, so it is important to follow a healthcare provider's 
recommendations. 


Water is an excellent choice, but it isn't the only way 
to stay hydrated. Many foods contain significant 
amounts of water and can contribute to daily fluid 
intake. Fresh fruits such as watermelon, oranges, 
strawberries, peaches and grapes are refreshing 
choices. Vegetables including cucumbers, tomatoes, 
lettuce and zucchini also provide hydration. 

Other options include milk, smoothies, yogurt, soups 

and broths. Even foods such as gelatin and popsicles 

can provide fluids, although sugary choices are 

best enjoyed in moderation. Decaffeinated tea and 

flavored water can also make it easier for someone 
who doesn't enjoy drinking plain water to consume enough fluids. 

For seniors who tend to forget to drink, establishing a routine can help. Keep a water bottle or 
glass within easy reach and encourage small amounts throughout the day rather than waiting 
until thirst develops. 

Hydration is a simple part of healthy aging, but it should not be overlooked. Making fluids and 
water-rich foods a regular part of the day can help seniors feel better, stay more comfortable and 
reduce the risk of dehydration—especially when temperatures rise. 


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

WHAT IT WAS, WAS A BOO-BOO 

This week I experienced a little "situation." I was in the bathroom getting ready 
to take a shower when, for some reason, I slipped and went crashing to the floor. 

At my age, this is a rather serious "situation." I fell on my left leg, and all I could 
think of was that I broke my hip, and now I'm going to have a hip replacement. I tried to get that 
out of my mind, but for some reason it lingered. 

I'm not exactly sure what my problem was, but I could not get up. What bothered me was whether 
I should call for The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage to help me or lie there struggling to get up. 

Of course, I chose the latter and tried my best to get up off that floor. 

At that time, I was not feeling any pain, but I was worried that because of my fall I broke something. 
I knew I needed help, so after much thought I decided to call for The Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage. That was the last thing I wanted to do, and I knew that I would live with that for the 
rest of my life. It may even leak into eternity; I'm not sure. 

I threw my pride into the toilet and called out for her to come and help me. Believe me, I tried 
as much as possible to solve my problem. Over the years, I have discovered that The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage can solve any problem, so my choice was obvious. 

She came and saw me splattered all over the bathroom floor and asked, "What happened?" 

I knew an exposé on what happened in the bathroom wouldn't solve any of my problems. I just 
looked at her and said, "Can you help me get up?" 

I was anxious to know the full extent of my injuries. Within 30 minutes of her helping me, I finally 
was able to get out of the bathroom and into the bedroom on my bed. That was the longest 30 
minutes of my life. 

I sat on the bed for a few moments, trying to assess my situation. I checked my leg for swelling or 
pain, and thankfully, I had no broken bones and my hip was working just fine. I sighed a deep sigh 
of relief at that point. 

The only thing I had was some fatigue in my left leg. It wasn't anything serious; I felt confident I 
didn't need to go to the hospital for an examination. Every time I go to the hospital, they find six 
or more things wrong that I never even thought of. So, I decided to rest at home and work on myboo-boo, hoping it would heal on its own. 

For the last two weeks I've had to walk with a cane. That is not something I ever wanted to do. The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage said, "Don't you know that a Cane can make you Able?" 

I looked at her with a very suspicious stare because I remembered what Cain did to Abel. Oh boy, 
what am I in for? 

I've had to face worse physical problems than this, and I was happy that I didn't have to go to the 
hospital. It just meant that I would have to slow down and let everything work out. 

A lot of things in life really zap you of strength. I know I've been hit with a lot of "pie-in-the-face" 
stuff throughout life. Sometimes this stuff is exaggerated to make it seem worse than it really is. 

I remember going to the hospital one time thinking I had a lot of health problems that I would 
have to deal with for some time. After a full examination, the doctor came back to my hospital 
room and said, "As far as I can tell, you don't have anything seriously wrong with you." He smiled 
and then walked away. 

I had one doctor who said after every examination, "Someone your age should have something 
wrong with you." I kept that doctor for a short time and moved on to another doctor. 

I know people take things seriously sometimes. Even things that aren't really important; they 
exaggerate, and I think sometimes they do it to get attention. 

Over the past several weeks, I've been walking around with my cane, and each day seems better 
than the last. I don't know how long I'm going to keep my friend, the cane, by my side. 

I noticed that when I go out somewhere, to some stores, when people see me coming, they open 
the door for me. That's because my friend is by my side. I sure would hate to give that up for the 
rest of my life. 

Reflecting on this, I see that some boo-boos, like my fall, can surprisingly turn into blessings, 
reminding us to find hope in setbacks. 

We find this in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the 
Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we 
may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are 
comforted of God.” 

Sometimes it takes trouble to experience the comfort of God. So, when in trouble look for God’s 
comfort because it’s right in front of you. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …AUGUST Birthdays*

Nancy Beckham, Karlene Englert, Juanita Fernandez, Jeanette Francis, 
Joseph Kiss, Jacquie Pergola, Pat Miranda, Margaret Aroyan, Phyllis Burg,
Beverly Clifton, Rosemary Morabito, Susan Poulsen, Joy Barry, Marcia 
Bent, Joan Spears, Ruth Torres, Jane Zamanzadeh. Helen Stapenhorst, 
Chandy Shair, Heidi Hartman, Erma Gutierrez, Margaret Switzer* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required 

A CAREGIVER’S GUIDE TO MEDICARE 

Caring for an aging 
parent or loved one? 
Learn what every 
caregiver needs to 
know about Medicare 
coverage, costs and 
common pitfalls. 


Dear Savvy Senior,
I’m taking care of my elderly father who 
recently had a stroke and have a lot of 
questions about how Medicare works and 
what it covers. He’s enrolled in original 
Medicare. Can you help me?
–Caregiving Connie 

Dear Connie, 
Taking care of a parent after a stroke is 
hard enough without having to figure 
out Medicare too. The good news is that 
understanding the program can make life 
a lot easier. Knowing what’s covered – and 
what isn’t – can help you plan ahead, avoid 
costly surprises and make sure your father 
gets the care he needs. Here’s a practical 
guide to get you started. 

Medicare basics 

One of the best places to start is the official 
“Medicare & You” handbook. It explains 
benefits and services in plain language. 
Medicare mails an updated copy everyfall, but you can also view it online at 
medicare.gov/medicare-and-you. 

For questions, call Medicare at 800-6334227 
to speak with a representative. They 
can clarify coverage for doctor visits,
hospital stays, home health care, and 
more. 

Your state’s State Health Insurance 
Assistance Program (SHIP) is another 
great resource. SHIP counselors provide 
free, one-on-one counseling to help you 
understand your coverage, identify cost-
saving programs, and answer questions 
about Medicare. Find a counselor near 
you at shiphelp.org or 877-839-2675. 

Caregivers should also create a secure 
Medicare account at medicare.gov/
account/login. Once your father’s account 
is set up, you can review his coverage, 
track claims, check the status of medical 
services and prescriptions, and see which 
preventive benefits he’s eligible for. It’s an 
easy way to stay organized and keep all of 
your father’s Medicare information in one 
place. 

Choosing providers 

Medicare also lets you compare providers 
online at medicare.gov/care-compare. You 
can search for doctors, hospitals, rehab 
centers, nursing homes, hospice providers, 
and medical equipment suppliers in your 
area. This is especially useful after a stroke, 
when your father may need rehabilitation 
or specialized care at home. 

Covered services 

Original Medicare covers many services 
your father may need, including hospital 
care, doctor visits, lab tests, and outpatient 
treatments. 

It also covers home health care if your 
father is homebound, under a doctor’s 
care, and needs part-time skilled nursing 
or rehabilitation therapy, such as physical, 
occupational or speech therapy. 

Medicare also covers medically necessarydurable medical equipment and supplies 
prescribed by a doctor, including oxygen, 
wheelchairs, walkers and catheters. Short-
term skilled nursing care in a facility may 
also be covered for up to 100 days after a 
qualifying hospital stay. 

Prescription medications are generally 
covered through a separate Medicare 
Part D plan, which helps pay for many 
outpatient drugs your father may need. 

Hospice care is covered for patients with 
a terminal illness and a life expectancy of 
six months or less, as certified by a doctor. 
It includes nursing care, medications for 
comfort and short-term respite care to 
give caregivers a break. 

However, Medicare generally doesn’t payfor long-term custodial care at home, in 
an assisted living facility or in a nursinghome. That means it generally won’t 
cover ongoing help with daily activities 
like bathing, dressing, eating, using the 
bathroom or supervision for someone with 
dementia. Routine dental care, dentures, 
eye exams for glasses and hearing aids are 
also not covered. 

Cost help 

If your father has limited income and 
resources, check programs that help 
reduce Medicare costs. Extra Help assists 
with prescription drug expenses, and 
Medicare Savings Programs can help pay 
premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. 

Visit medicare.gov/basics/costs/help or 
call 800-633-4227 to learn more or check 
eligibility. 

Taking time to understand Medicare can 
make caregiving a little less stressful. It 
helps you stay on top of appointments, 
treatments and equipment needs, while 
giving you greater confidence that your 
father is receiving the care and benefits 
he’s entitled to. 

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Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com